Prune Nourry, Artist of the Invisible Dog

Prune Nourry is a sculptor and visual artist who is passionate about social and ethical issues and whose artistic process deals with contemporary issues. Her research is centred in particular on debates surrounding human reproduction. Prune uses scientific tools of analysis and collective forms of art appreciation. Scientific, because she questions Bioethics and Genetics. Collective, because through happenings in the gallery and on the street, her work always involves a strong participatory dimension. Reflections on bioethics are changing and evolving along with the practice of the artist herself. From the chimera, a hybrid between Human and Animal, developed by Domestic Babies, the artist began a broader debate on prenatal manipulations and possible outcomes. With her happening Procreative Dinner and an upcoming exhibition in India, Holy Daughters, she has begun to investigate the myth of the «perfect child».The 21st century marks a milestone in genetics. Scientific advances through genetic manipulation could put human beings in the place of the Creator.

Prune Nourry is part of the exhibition "THE ARTISTS OF THE INVISIBLE DOG" on viewing on Saturday March 10 and Sunday March 11

In September 2010, the artist Prune Nourry installed her sculptures in the streets of New Delhi, and documented with photos and videos the multiple reactions of the inhabitants. After barely settling into the street decorum, the sculptures aroused curiosity and provoked a sudden mob. The link between Gau Mata (Mother Cow) and the condition of women was naturally shown before a largely male audience and mix of the most diverse classes: street vendors, plumbers, policemen, students, ...

Hybrids between India’s sacred cow and women, Prune’s sculptures «Holy Daughters», raised the issue of the selection of sex through ultrasounds, an important Asian contemporary issue. In India, the cow, a symbol of fertility thanks to the milk it offers, is venerated. The girl on the other hand, though the vector of fertility, is seen as a burden and is therefore undesired. Hybridizing girls with Indian cows points to a paradox: while placing women at the same rank as sacred cows, it also stick the girl to this image of purity, as she's perceived by Indian society for generations.